MY KINGDOM

CHAPTER SEVEN ( LOVE OR WAR)

“Your Majesty!! What are you doing here?? You're supposed to be in the Royal Dining room.” Edward said as stood. Shaking like he had seen a ghost.

“I'm not hungry.” Prince Levi replied.

“That's quite odd, you never miss your meals. You weren't at breakfast this morning either.” The prince said in astonishment.

The prince faked a brief chuckle.“All is well Edward, I just need to talk to you about something important.”

“Where are my manners?? Please have a seat.” Edward said, pointing to one of the vacant seats. “So what is so urgent that made you skip your breakfast, moreover you haven't visited my Office in years now.” he continued.

“I need you to help me find someone. You're the royal Chamberlain, so I believe that I'm in the right place.” The prince said.

Stunned by the prince’s words. “Oh my!! Is someone missing, your highness?” He whispered.

“Not at all, Edward. But I need to find this person real soon.” Prince Levi said with a serious look.

“But your majesty, you could easily use a tracker spell you know.” Edward said.

“That's a great idea, but I need something that belongs to the person, to be able to do that.” Levi replied.

“Oh I see, then I believe that I could pull a few strings. What's the person's name, your majesty?” Edward said as he pulled out some scrolls and parchment.

The prince paused to look around before Speaking. “Shoshana, the daughter of the Queen's personal handmaiden.” He said.

“Shoshana?? If I may, my prince. Why are you looking for her??” Edward asked curiously.

“Nothing, I just want to know where she lives and probably everything about her.” The prince said with a solemn look.

Edward knew that something was fishy but he decided to play along. “Alright my prince. Unfortunately I cannot help you with the details of Shoshana because she doesn't work here. She is not a staff of the Royal palace of Orion, she is only working to cover her mother's shifts.”

“Then give me her mother's details.” The prince said eagerly.

Edward let out a deep sigh. “I would have given it to you. But we don't have it anymore. We lost the records of the older staff in a fire, some years ago. We believed that most of them were trusted and tested so we didn't bother to recollect their data.”

“What a disappointment. But isn't there something that you can do??” The prince asked disappointedly.

“As it stands she has returned home and she won't be here for a few days, but I will see what I can do for.” Edward said.

On hearing this, the prince’s countenance lightened up. “Thank you so much Edward, I owe you one.”

“The pleasure is all mine, my prince.” Edward replied with a smile.

“Alright, I'll take my leave now.” The prince said and stood up.

“I'll let you know if I find anything.” Edward said.

“Thank you Edward. And please, don't mention this to anyone, not even my parents.” The prince said sternly.

“It is done my Prince, You have my word.” Edward replied. So the prince left for his chamber.

Shortly after the prince retired to his room, he got interrupted by a knock on the door. “Come in.” Prince Levi replied. The door tilted open and one of his father's personal guards walked in.

“Greetings my Prince.” The soldier greeted the prince with a bow.

“Greetings Adriel. What brings you by.” The prince asked.

“Your Father has requested an audience with you, my prince.” Adriel said.

The Prince’s face became pale immediately. “What does he want now?” The prince whispered to himself.

“Did you say something, my prince??” Adriel asked.

“No, it's nothing. Let my father know that I'll be with him shortly.”

The prince replied.

“Yes my prince, may I take my leave.” Adriel asked. The prince affirmed with a nod. With a bow, Adriel parted ways with the prince.

The prince went to his father much later in the day. As he entered the room, King Henry signaled his guards to leave.

“What took you so long.” King Henry asked with a neutral countenance.

“I apologize father.” The prince said unapologetically.

“You've been acting strange since I told you about the coronation. You weren't at the table for breakfast, likewise lunch. Are you sure that you're okay.” The King asked, but the prince kept mute.

“Levi!! Have you suddenly gone deaf?? What's with your rebellious attitude??” The king broke out in anger.

“Father, you want me to just pretend that everything is alright. First of all, you're forcing me to wear the heaviest crown in the Imperium and to make things worse you want me to get married to some princess that I've never even met before. Tell me father, am I a puppet_ ??” The prince wanted to continue ranting but King Charles cut him short.

“That’s enough now!! You will be my successor and you will marry Princess Laylah, and that’s final.” The King said angrily.

The room fell silent for a few minutes. But the air was full of tension.

“Father, I respect you a lot and I believe that I have made that clear. That is why I have decided to go on with the coronation thereby allowing you to choose a destiny for me, but I will not allow you to choose a wife for me.” The prince said furiously, breaking the silence.

The King took a deep breath to calm himself down. “Can’t you see, my Son. You don't have a choice here, things have been this way since the dawn of the Imperium. The King isn't just the man that everyone serves, he is the man that serves everyone. You will do as I say. And as for your brother; he will be returning tomorrow, I'll explain things to him myself.” He said calmly, but it was evident that he burned with rage from the inside.

“I didn't choose this life for myself. As a matter of fact I want to go far away from all of this. And just son you know, Father; I was never interested in the crown and I never will be.” The prince ranted and tried to walk out.

Just as he got to the door, King Charles stretched forth his right arm and the Prince suddenly flew halfway across the room. “Levi!!! I may be old, but I am still the same first order Wizard that slayed the Verian dragon, So don't you dare me boy.”

The prince was in great pain but he still managed to stand to his feet. “If you really think that throwing me across the room will break me then think again!!” He said as he groaned silently.

“Is that a challenge? Now don't you forget that I’m the one wearing the crown and not you, so talk to me with respect.” The King said at the top of his voice.

Then you can keep the crown on your head, cause I don't want it.” The prince replied and walked out.